On June 13, Nepal’s parliament amended its constitution and ratified a new map of the country, which shows around 335sqkm of Indian territory as being part of Nepal. The bold bill was passed nearly unanimously, and it brought together parties as divergent as the ruling communists, the opposition Congress, and groups representing the Mhadesi community.
The legislation was a knee-jerk reaction to India opening a new road to Kailash Mansarovar through the Kalapani valley, a region whose ownership has for long been a matter of dispute between the two neighbours.
Certain recent events may also have spurred Nepal into action. Last November, India released its new map after the abrogation of Article 370. While the map did not alter international boundaries, China objected to designating Ladakh as a Union territory. It said there were disputes between the two countries in the region, and that India’s move affected China’s sovereignty. Nepal, too, objected to showing the Kalapani valley as Indian territory. It sent three notes last year to the Indian ambassador in Kathmandu and the government of India, proposing foreign secretary-level talks to resolve issues.
This story is from the June 28, 2020 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 28, 2020 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BJP WILL SWEEP CHHATTISGARH
INTERVIEW - VISHNU DEO SAI, CHHATTISGARH CHIEF MINISTER
BAGHEL VS BJP
With five of 11 seats in Chhattisgarh expecting a close contest, Congress is once again relying on Bhupesh Baghel and his record as chief minister
SAFFRON CITADEL
Shivraj Singh Chouhan's popularity and the infighting in the Congress leave no room for change in Madhya Pradesh
CONGRESS NOT WEAKENED BY DESERTIONS
INTERVIEW - GOVIND SINGH DOTASRA, RAJASTHAN CONGRESS PRESIDENT
PEOPLE CAN SEE THROUGH BJP'S DIVISIVE POLITICS
INTERVIEW - ASHOK GEHLOT, FORMER RAJASTHAN CHIEF MINISTER
FIGHTING CHANCE
A united Congress eyes a few seats, hoping to exploit divisions within the BJP and discontent against its new government
Divide and win
I am blown by the amount of research the BJP's speechwriters have put in. They have gone way back in time to dig out and wilfully misquote something Manmohan Singh said in 2006 at a meeting of the National Development Council (NDC), which is \"Our collective priorities are clear.
THERE IS A WIND BLOWING AGAINST THE BJP, AND IT WILL ONLY PICK UP SPEED
INTERVIEW - AKHILESH YADAV, FORMER CHIEF MINISTER, UTTAR PRADESH
HEART OF THE MATTER
While the socio-political polarisation gives BJP the edge, there is as much of a caste divide, which could help the opposition
LORD ON THE BALLOT
The BJP has its task cut out in the Hindi heartland: raise its tally in Uttar Pradesh, while maintaining its score in other states. The Ram Temple campaign could well help the party pull it off